Does exercise help depression? Exercise, regardless of the type, can have extraordinary benefits. We’ve all heard that in order for us to be healthy we need to exercise. We need to work out to stay in physical shape. But could exercise go beyond just the physical and improve mental health? Does exercise help depression? In this article, we’ll discuss how exactly exercise helps depression. First, we need to cover what depression is and how to identify it.
What exactly is depression?
In simple terms, depression is a medical condition that impacts the way you feel. It can range from mild to severe and often causes persistent sadness or a loss of interest in activities. There are circumstances in life where it is natural to feel sad or to temporarily lose interest in things. However, this is not the same as depression. For example, grieving after the loss of a loved one is a natural process that everyone goes through.
In the case of grief, feelings of sadness tend to come in waves, and a person’s self-esteem generally remains stable. In contrast, someone experiencing depression often has consistently low self-esteem.
For those who are depressed, their mood and interest typically remain diminished for two weeks or longer. They may also suffer from a loss of appetite and energy. In more severe cases, individuals with major depression may have frequent thoughts of death or suicide. These symptoms reflect a deeper issue rooted in brain chemistry.
While life experiences can certainly intensify depressive symptoms, the core of the condition lies within the brain. Research has found that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression.
Additionally, studies show that individuals under the age of 25 who are dealing with depression may experience more frequent suicidal thoughts.
It’s important to remember that depression can affect anyone—regardless of how ideal their life situation may appear on the outside.
Why are we talking about this?
Over the years, depression has been on the rise. It was once a topic that felt almost taboo to discuss, but in recent years, it has become more commonly talked about. Still, perhaps it isn’t prevalent enough.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 7% of adult Americans experienced a depressive episode in 2017. That translates to a little over 17 million people.Adding to this sobering statistic, suicide ranks as the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Even more alarming, for individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death.
If left untreated, depression doesn’t just affect mental health—it can also take a toll on the body. The condition often leads to reduced appetite and energy levels, which can negatively impact physical health.
This physical toll increases the risk of developing other illnesses and infections. Clearly, this is not a subject we can afford to ignore. We need to identify the root cause of this growing trend in depression and anxiety. But even once we do, the next question becomes: how do we treat it effectively?
There are medications available for depression, and many find them helpful. However, not everyone can afford them, and for some—especially those with severe allergies—medications may not be a viable option. This leads us to a crucial question: Does exercise help depression?
Does Exercise Help Depression?
We all recognize the fact that with exercise, physical daily functions become easier. But what about our mental function? Believe it or not, exercise greatly impacts our mental function.
It turns out that our brain can be more active during or immediately after exercise, than when we’re sitting still thinking. 
When we exercise our brain will release a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein is responsible for repairing and maturing neurons. This can get extremely complex so to sum it up, BDNF plays a crucial role in the learning and memory parts of our brain.
Therefore, through exercise, our brain develops new connections which leads to stabilization in our mood. Other endorphins are released when we exercise as well. Exercise has the potential to raise serotonin levels. This raise in serotonin can actually boost your appetite and help stabilize your mood.
On top of this, it can help regulate your sleep cycles. On a more practical note, exercise distracts your mind. For a moment, you stop worrying about everything going on and you focus on the movement at hand. This gives your brain the rest it needs. You also may start to like the way you look which boosts your self-esteem. Thus, improving your mood even more. So, the question is no longer, how does exercise help depression. Rather, is there anything exercise can’t do?
What else can exercise do?
Beyond improving one’s mood and depressive state, exercise can help slow cognitive decline. Meaning, it helps our mind stay sharp as we get older. Through exercise, more oxygen and glucose are pumped towards the brain which aids in releasing some of the hormones discussed above. This protects the brain from losing connections and from declining due to age.
Depending on the types of exercises being performed, it can improve cardiovascular health and also create bone density. Ultimately, this leads to not just a longer life, but a more fulfilled life.
Can a doctor prescribe exercise to help depression?
Does exercise help depression? Depending on the doctor you go to and what your medical condition is, a doctor may prescribe exercise. And just like any other medication, they may give you a “dose”. Exercise can be a very daunting task. For someone who hasn’t done the research or doesn’t have experience, it can be almost impossible to start. So, a doctor just telling their patient to exercise more just simply isn’t enough. The doctor, when prescribing exercise, should give specific instructions.
For example, they may give a frequency of 3-4 times a week at a moderate level. They may tell you what specifically to do, whether that be walking, jogging, or light lifting on machines if that’s accessible. It is important that you talk to your doctor about the benefits of exercise and that you don’t just take our word for it. If you are seeing a doctor for depression, then ask them about how exercise helps depression.
Does Exercise Help Depression? Where do you start?
If you are struggling with depression and are wanting to improve your mood, then start going on walks. Simply walking outside 3-4 times a week has the potential to start improving your mood. Now, getting up and doing this is much easier said than done, especially if you are depressed.
So, have someone hold you accountable. Have a close friend or family member go on a walk with you. From there, turn one of those walks into a jog. Gradually increase the level of exercise you are performing. Again, talk to your doctor. Antidepressants may prove to be beneficial to help you start exercising. They might be the resource that helps you start going on walks in the morning. Talk to your doctor about the best way to exercise while taking antidepressants.
To Close
Now that we’ve discussed how exercise helps depression, I hope that you take the steps necessary to improve your mental and physical health. For more information about depression and ways to treat it, click here. We all know that having a financial burden does not help one’s depressive state. So, if you are struggling to afford your antidepressants or any other medication, then Prescription Hope may be able to help. Prescription Hope works with 180 pharmaceutical manufacturers to help patients receive their medications for $70.00 a month through Prescription Hope’s medication access service for each medication. Enroll with us today to see if you are eligible.
